Author: Staff Writer
A major development arising from the changing world of work over the past year and a half is the growth in the gig worker economy – that is, professionals who don’t necessarily get employed full-time at a company but sell their time and expertise to multiple clients as consultants. In the past, permanent employment was, for the most part, the sought-after norm, but in recent years – even before the pandemic hit – young people increasingly sought more flexibility in the workplace. This trend was predicted by the World Economic Forum in its Future of Jobs Report of 2018 and…
Telkom Mobile today launched eSIM support for its customers. eSIM is a digital Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) that allows customers to activate a tariff plan from Telkom without having to use a physical SIM. It is an integrated SIM that is built into devices and cannot be removed, unlike a traditional SIM. “Historically, most of our customers have used traditional card Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs). These enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to identify a user and then to authenticate that the user is serviced by that MNO,” explained Andrew Dawson, Executive: Product Portfolio Management. “Going forward, Telkom will support eSIM…
As the prevalence of digital fraud attempts on businesses and consumers continues to rise, TransUnion’s newest quarterly analysis found that fraudsters in South Africa are re-focusing their efforts from financial services to gambling, travel and leisure and communities industries. Across all industries, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts rose 16.5% globally when comparing Q2 2021 to Q2 2020. Gaming and travel and leisure were the two most impacted industries globally for the suspected digital fraud attempt rate, rising 393.0% and 155.9% respectively when comparing the two periods. For transactions coming from South Africa, the overall percentage of digital fraud…
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is going public via a merger with a special purpose acquisitions company (SPAC), the company announced on Monday. The company will be valued at $3.2 billion or R48.5 billion. The deal provides Virgin Orbit with $483 million or R7.3 billion in cash at close to help ramp up “rocket manufacturing to meet customer demand, and to fund growth in its space solutions business and Virgin Orbit’s ongoing product development initiatives. Virgin Orbit has developed proprietary air-launch technology, coupled with world-class manufacturing infrastructure and a proven team to transform space access for a diverse and global customer…
South African innovation catalyst and investment platform, Innovation Edge, has launched a call for bold solutions to increase positive involvement by South African fathers and father figures in the early years of their children’s lives. Selected applicants will be supported to pitch their solutions to the Innovation Edge Investment Committee. Successful ventures will receive up to R1.3 million each in grant funding, strategic coaching, customised operational support and connections to social capital. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2021. Research[1] shows that when a child has an active and positive father or father figure in their lives, they benefit in…
Telkom’s ongoing innovation focus has seen the organisation training and hiring dozens of data scientists across its operations, applying the power of data to solve organisational and societal problems – revolutionising efficiencies at the telco, and boosting the services it can offer clients. Women data scientists are at the vanguard of this drive, bringing their skills to bear on the diversified company’s innovative, digital-first focus. The data science revolution has also been an opportunity to drive Telkom’s Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP), creating opportunities for dozens of women across the organisation with wide experience across adjacent sectors. Ops specialist: data…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has suspended the exchange licence of ZAR X effective from 16:00 on Friday, 20 August 2021. “We don’t take this regulatory action lightly, given its impact. Our view however, is that this is a necessary step to safeguard market integrity and the interest of issuers and the broader investing public,” FSCA Commissioner, Unathi Kamlana says. “This is the cornerstone of our mandate as the FSCA” ZAR X is allowed to operate as an exchange to give effect to transactions in progress or otherwise not finalised at the date of suspension, but may not allow…
MTN Group today announced the appointment of Burak Akinci as CEO of Simfy (Ayoba), reporting to MTN Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer Serigne Dioum and responsible for the super app Ayoba. Effective 1 September 2021, Burak joins Africa’s leading mobile operator from Turkcell, where he was CEO of BiP, an instant messaging platform with millions of users across 192 countries. “We are thrilled that an executive of Burak’s calibre is joining us. His appointment accelerates our work to build the largest and most valuable platforms as we target greater digital and financial inclusion across the continent,” said Dioum. Burak,…
Shoprite is the first South African retailer to launch an instant electronic funds transfer (EFT) service. The EFT service enables customers to instantly send vouchers to another person in just three simple steps. Senders only need to enter the recipient’s mobile number and the amount they wish to pay. There is no need to download an app in order to transfer funds. Shoprite, in partnership with Ozow, developed this new service in record time in response to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng – a safe and reliable way for customers to instantly send vouchers to others. To access…
South African rapper, songwriter and actor Big Zulu is set to release 10 tracks from his forthcoming album exclusively on the newly-launched streaming music app, Telkom Music powered by JOOX. This new body of work entitled ‘Ichwane Lenyoka’ by the isiZulu-speaking lyricist is expected to drop on Friday, 27 August 2021 and for some time, will only be available for download or streaming on the all-new, exciting music app hailed for data-saving. Big Zulu, whose real name is Siyabonga Nene, explained: “I’m thrilled! For me the synergy is clear: I want to make simple but good music that people can relate…